Fluid pressure operated gate valve



Gttomegv.

l R e 2 .Sheets-Sheet l F. McMANIS FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED GATE VALVE Aug. 9, 1949.

fild sept. 12, 194?.

Ws-suss s ...n 4//////////// Aug. 9, 1949. F. McMANls 2,478,832

FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED GATE VALVE Filed. Sept. 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FGAH Fred McMans Patented ug. 9, 1949 J2,478,832; FLUID PRE SSRE vOPERA'IEDGATE .Fred McManis, Houston,

Text. assigner ,tsl

We-K-M Company, Inc., Houston, Tex., a corporation of Texas 1l @einen which the fluid pressure ls-of such 'high onder, has

been found to be both dl''icult and hazardous; and, the problem ofthe art, solved bythe ypresent invention, has been to provide a safeand certain means, for the operation of valves in these lhigh pressure lines which handle, notablyghydrocarbon gas and oil, in production, distribution, and irl-distribution manifolds for the handling' of these fluids. By through-condui valve is intended one which in open position leaves the conduit entirely unobstructed at the valve opening.

YIt is an object of this ln'ventinn then fto provide a combined valve and 'associated fluid vpressure means for positively operating the `valve into its open and closed positions; to providesuoli 'fluid pressure means that can be remotely controlled; and to provide a iluid pressure operating'means so designed and proportioned tnatthel-valve can be positively moved to either its openor'elosed position regardless of the existing fluid pressure in the pipe or conduit in which the valve is loeated.

It is a further object of this invention tofprovide a valve and its operatin-gmeehanism which is completely enclosed, i. e., with no operating parts vextending beyond or Vthrough the Walls of the valve enclosure. This yfeature eliminates the use l,

of packing glands, and thereby avoids the-friction loads, which are excessive,-particularlyin large valves, where the operating means isexternal of the Valve housing.

A further object of-fthls invention is to provide a valve operating means whieh exerts its force to move the valve, mainly,by a pushing toreo, rati-ier than by pulling the parts to be moved. Thusthe valve parts are relieved of destructive `tension strains, and breakage of said parts is minimized. Also vlighter weight valve parts can-be used A still further object of the .present invention :is to provide a valve and its operating'means enclosed Within a common housing, Wit-litho moving parts in balance With'respeot to the fluid pressure f obtaining within the housing..

Still another obieot oftnisinvention is theprovision .of .engagement between the operatingselements andthe valve :that will :positlvelvproduee anintial relative movement between thestwogate valve segments, in erderxtoeffeot collapsing of tile valve segments .to their smallest .lateral dimensiony and to thereby reduce friction weer onine valve and seats duringthe mai orpart ofthe veline movements.

These endother obi eotsof this invention will ne apparent to those .skilliedin :the artby the :following specification, when-read in the lient of the ao;- companying drawings whiohorm ,a part thereof, and in .Whioh .Figure 'l :is a sectional elevation, showing assembled .valve and operating means, all .enclosed vWitlci'in a housing-together with a diagrammatic .illustration of vapp,ropriate remote .iliid pressure control for actuating .the nneratng means.

:Eligures 2 and 3 are-Views of the ,control naive@ .of-Figure l, inwnich this Valve occupies di erf ent :positions to wann-it lslmoyed, :in controlling the operation of the-valve.

Figure 4 is V.a :in ver-tical ocation, Show-ing the valvein `its collapsed position As illustrated in this 'figuref the position of 'the vaille .is #that which the val-ite parts take in the initial stagepf moving from the open totheolosed .position sofar .as onlythe v'valve'parts are -oncrliediihlzl relativepositions-n Figures: are the .sementi fwiiifil the fifa-ive vis being moi/edi@ 'mennen @Sit/10D just Vbetere the :valve segments have afi- :pandedxto lthe :relative positions of Figure Figure 5V is layiew, alsolnfvertcal .seotiopl molli# .ing .the valve as it laeaehes its inlly nosed position. and with theva-lve parts .expanded aiii Ssatig engagement with the valve seats.

Referring @to Figure 1 .of :the drawings; the. ivjsdvey per se, in its essential parte, lis :show-n to :bassin-leturall-y like that-shown inthe 5. notent tomi iat least `tothe@stentitifle :the este assembly coni- Viterations .from .their middle rk.or l,waist section @and aecordinslvi inl their relative ennuis@ in ether'diueetionl; from .a centered or odllanted vlsf-1Sities theme .results 1.a zweclgillg .notion @f @me part ,against the other that vis .ieiilti-lie 'to nrgiorezapart- .thevalgye nartsfn .gr-Q1 Masoni @Se dxialve against .the seats, in Vboth :the smell f and lelosed .positions .lnltlieir neutered lor collapsed' position. as shownin Eigureiftheitweyalue haveA a .minimum eyeball lateral siimesien amish lpermits them .to :be villoled 'without friotionbetvteenrthem and tneireots.

ai'iase The gate and segment, when assembled, are substantially rectangular in transverse section, but obviously they may be cylindrical or of other suitable section. `If of circular section, the gate and segment when assembled and centered, as in Figure 4, would constitute a cylinder, or part thereof.

Valve seats 3 and 4 are mounted in recesses in the valve housing 5, and extend, at both ends, into the interior of the valve housing, at both sides of the conduit openings. These extensions, together with integral side anges 6 serve to guide the movements of the gate and segment and to conne them to substantially rectilinear movement.

The segment 2 at the limit of its movement, in either direction, is positively stopped by the end of the segment coming into contact with a iixed abutment 1, one at either end. As shown in each of the gures, the abutments I are the 4inner end walls of end closures of the houing 5, which closures also serve as cylinders for oppositely disposed fluid pressure pistons 8 that operate the valve. These cylinders and pistons, constituting uid pressure motors, are arranged one at each end of the valve housing 5, and are in axial alinement. Since these motors are alike in construction and operation, a description of one of them will suiice.

The piston 8 of each motor is of conventional construction. It is fitted with the usual sealing rings to prevent passage of iluid in either direction between the piston and the cylinder wall. The piston may be provided, on both sides, with a flexible cleaning cup 9, which serves to remove sediment or other accumulation from the walls of the cylinder, as the piston moves, in either direction. A piston rod I is rigidly secured to the piston and its end, remote from the piston, is enlarged at II. This enlarged end of the rod III is shaped and dimensioned to fit rather loosely into la T-slot recess in the adjacent end of the gate I. When assembled with the gate I, the latter is thereby connected with the piston and moves therewith, although the T-slot in the segment permits slight relative movement between lthe enlarged end II of the piston rod I0 and the gate I. The amount of this permissible relative movement must be suicient to permit the gate I to move laterally, toward and away from its seat, as the gate and segment are expanded by mutual wedging action, and to collapse from their expanded position when the wedging force is relieved.

Surrounding the .piston rod IU is a coiled spring I2 which abuts, at one end, a follower I3 at the piston end of the rod, this follower being preferably fixed t0 the rod or contacting one side of the piston in order to prevent its movement, in one direction, relative to the piston. At its other end, the spring I2 abuts a washer or follower I4 which is mounted on the piston rod I 0, and is slideable therealong. The diameter or lateral dimension of the Washer I4 is such that it may "engage the ends of both the gate I and segment 2;

and, the spring I2 is initially loaded or compressed to a degree that the Washer I4 will be urged into contact with the end of at least one of the gate elements, i. e. gate I or segment 2. The purpose or function of the spring I2, pressing against the washer I4 is to transmit the Working force of the piston 8 to the segment; 2, in order to move the latter, positively, after the gate I has been moved endwise by its more positive and direct connection with the piston 8 to an extent that has relieved the wedging action between the gate and segment. Thus in Figure 4, if it is assumed as there illustrated, that the valve is being moved from its open to its closed position (the upper piston being subjected to fluid pressure), the gate has been moved suiiiciently to collapse or center the gate and segment, and the washer I4 is in contact with the end of the segment 2 and is' transmitting the spring pressure as well as the additional force which the spring derives from the piston, to the segment 2. Preferably, the spring I2 should be of such proportion and initially loaded (compressed) so that it will exert a force, upon contact with the segment 2 that is sufiicient to break the segment away from its seat, in event it ends to stick and resist initial movement. Continued movement of the piston will then move both the gate and segment until the latter is stopped by the xed abutment 1, at the end of its permissible travel. At this time, the gate I will continue to be moved by the piston and this endwise movement relative to the segment will bring about the mutual wedging action between the gate and segment to expand both elements into sealing engagement with their respective seats. The completed action of the piston operation, in moving the valve from the open position of Figure 1, through the transition position of Figure 4, is shown in Figure 5.

In operating the valve from the closed position of Figure 5 to the open position of Figure 1, the opposite piston (the lower one as illustrated) is energized, and the same movement of the valve parts is accomplished, i. e. the gate I is rst moved, endwise sucient to relieve its wedging pressure against the segment, and then the segment begins its movement in response to the force of the spring I2, augmented by that of the operating piston 8.

The T-slot in the ends of the gate I, in addition to providing the described clearance that permits movement of the gate laterally, with reference to the end II of the piston rod IQ, is also of suilicient depth to allow for slight endwise movement of the piston operating end II before it engages the gate I. This slight relative movement enables the piston to exert an initial percussive or hammer action that is eiective to jar the gate and thereby assist in loosening it from its seat, in event of its sticking for lack of adequate lubrication.

While the valve and its operating mechanism, is shown in each of the figures of the drawing in a vertical position, the valve is equally operative in a horizontal position or at an angle that may be required, by the circumstances of installation.

Since the valve and its operating mechanism is entirely enclosed, it is desirable, if not necessary, to have some external means to indicate, visually, the position of the valve. For this purpose I have provided, at one end of the casing, an indicator rod I5, secured. to one of the pistons, and extending exteriorly of the valve housing. The extent of this rod that can be seen will serve to indicate whether the valve is open or closed and also will indicate when the valve is moving, in response to the application of fluid pressure, to one or the other of the opposed pistons. That part of the rod I5 which extends beyond the valve housing, preferably is enclosed by a transparent, capsule-like housing I6.

In Figure 1 of the drawings, a means for controlling the uid pressure for operation oi' the Valve is shown in diagram. It will be understood that this or equivalent means may be provvided and be operable eitherat the valve location, or at a remote control station. As shown, operating uid pressure is maintained by a pump P, in `conjunction with a reservoir R. A control valve `C, e. g. of the rotary plug type, is Operable to admit pressure, selectively, to either of the operatingvpistons 8 and as shown in Figurefi, a lap posii-,ion of the valve will be effective to admit pressure, simultaneusly, to berth pistons- The usefulness of this lap position of the valve for controlling the operating pressure is to hold the'valve, e. g. in any intermediate position of its movements While being opened or closed. `When the valve C4 'is positioned to actuate either of the pistons, it also acts to connect the opposite piston to the reservoir R, which latter preferably is at atmospheric pressure.

Having described an operable embodiment of my invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifica- Vtions may be made vtherein without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, as the same is defined by the following claims.

Iclaim:

1. In a sliding 'gate valve, the gate assembly belng formed of two relatively movable expansible parts that 4by mutual wedging action of one part against 'the other, in'relative endwise movement 'in either direction, can be expanded into sealing engagement with the valve seats in both open and vclosed positions, and can be 'collapsed to a centered position of min-imum'lateral dimension in order to relieve sealing pressure during the joint movement of both said parts, the Acombination comprising: a valve housing; Yseats therein to 'guide the gate assembly in its opening and closing movements and against which the gate assembly is expanded into sealing engagement, in 'both its open and closed positions; fixed abutments within the housing adjacent opposite ends thereof to limit the -endwise movement of one of the said gate parts at opposite ends of its travel; and fluid-pressure operating means enclosed within the said housing 'for moving the gate assembly to its open and closed positions, the said 'means being operatively connected with the lother one of the sai-d two expansible gate parts at op- 'po's'ite ends thereof, and, when said gate assembly is sealed in either open `or closed position, operating Ain response to `a l"huid-pressure supply Ato first move said other lgate part relative 'to said yone part in order to collapse thegate parts and thereby relieve Athe 'sealing pressure, to then directly 'engage and push `both parts until the said Vfirst named part isstopped by contact with -one of said abutments, and tothen move the other part relative thereto whereby both parts are wedged into 'sealing engagementwith the valve seats, vin either 'the open or `closed position of thevalve 2. Fluid-pressure means for positively operating a gate valve oi" the 'through way conduit type in 'which the sliding gate vassembly is formed of two "inter'tting parts each having a double taper 'on its lmating surface such that with lthe entire mating surfaces 'oi 'the two parts in contact, the lateral 'over-all dimension o'f the gate assembly g will be a minimum, 'and endwise movementof one part, 'in either direction relative to the other, 'will increase the lateral overall dimension of the 'gate assembly 'to effect sealing engagement .of 'the two 'parts with the 'valve seats, "the combination comprising: 'a valve housing; valveseats 'therein iorming guides for the sliding 'gate assembly;

both ends lof' its travel; a pair of opposed fluidpressure responsive pistons, mounted within the valve housing, one at eachaend thereof with the gate parts therebetween; and means acting in parallel paths for transmitting the thrust of leach "of said pistons `to one end of .each of the two gate parts, the said means actingto direct the thrust application in two parallel paths that are in line with'the ends of the .gate parts and with the thrust in one path being effective in advance of the thrust in the other path, whereby whenthe gate assembly is sealed in .either open or closed position one gate part is first moved endwise re1- ative to the other, :and then both parts are moved in unison after the initial movement of'one part relative to the other.

3, In `a Y-slidinggate valve, the gate assembly being formed of two relatively movable expansible parts that by mutual wedging action of :one part against 'the othenin relative endwisemovement in either direction, can'be expanded into sealing engagement with the valve seats in both open and closed positions, and can be collapsed to a centered position of minimum lateral dimension in yorder to relieve sealing 'pressure during vthe joint movement of both vsaid parts, the combination comprising: a valve housing; seats therein to guide the gate assembly in its opening and closing movements and against which the valve gate assembly is expanded into sealing engagemenin both itsopen` and closed positions; fixed abutments within the housing adjacent opposite ends thereof to limit the enc'lwise Ymovement of one oi the 'sa-id gate parts at opposite -ends of its travel; la pair ofopposed huid-pressure operating means within the housing, one at lveach end thereof, for positively moving the gate assembly to its open and closed positions, each of said-operating means being connected to the adjacent end vof the other one of the said expansible gate parts with the latter serving ras a Vrigid `Yconnection between the two opposed gateoperating means; and means operating in conunction with each lof the fluid-pressure operating means for engaging and moving ythe lsaid one of said gate parts after the other one has been moved sufficiently, 'from 'its valve open or valve closedposition, to collapse the gate assembly land thereby relieve the vsealing pressure on 'the valve 'sea s.

,-4. The combination as recited in claim 3, in which the iinal means is yielding, in order to permit limited relative movement Vof thejsaid gate parts, after the one of them is stopped by engagement with one of the said abutments.

5. The combination a's recited in `claim "3, with an additional means for selectively controlling the admission of fluid-pressure to each of 'the 'opposed 'gate-'operating means.

-6. A gate valve of the through conduit "type, the 'gate vassembly of which is forme-d rof two relatively movable expansible parts that by 'mu- Vtual w'edging y'action 'of lone `part against the other, in relative 'endwise 'movement in either -dir'ection, can be vexpanded "into .sealing 'engagement "with the 'valve seats Vin both open and .closed positions, and can be Ycollapsed to al centered ,position of minimum lateral dimension Jin order to relieve 'sealing pressure during theQjcint movement Aof both Asaid parts, the combination comprising: a valve housing; seats 'therein `lto guide .the gate assembly in its opening and closflng movements 'and against which the `gate as- Ythe sliding movement 'of one of the gate parts 'at sembly is expanded into sealing engagement, in

l'both its open 'and closed positions; fixed abut- "7 ments Within the housing adjacent opposite ends thereof to limit the endwise movement of one of the said gate parts at opposite ends of its travel; and a pair of opposed duid-pressure valve-operating means within the housing, one at each end thereof, and comprising cylinders having closed outer ends with their inner ends in open communication with the interior of the said housing, a piston within each cylinder, each piston being positively connected by a rod to the other one of the said valve gate parts, at opposite ends thereof, a coil spring surrounding each of the piston rods and compressed between the piston and a follower mounted to slide on the said rods, the said follower adapted to engage the ends of both of the valve gate parts, each of the said springs and followers becoming effective upon application of fluid pressure to its associated piston to move the said one of the gate parts after the other one of them has been moved by the piston connected thereto, from its valve open or valve closed position, to an eX- tent sufficient to collapse the gate parts.

7. A gate valve of the through conduit type the gate assembly of which is formed of two relatively movabl eparts which by mutual wedging action of one part against the other, in relative inclusive movement in either direction, can be expanded laterally into sealing engagement with the valve seats in both open and closed positions and can be collapsed to relieve sealing pressure during joint movement of said parts, the combination comprising: a valve housing; seats therein to guide the gate assembly in its opening and closing movements and against :t

which the gate assembly is expanded into sealing engagement, in both its open and closed positions; iixed abutments within the housing adjacent opposite ends thereof to limit the endwise movement of one of the said gate parts at opposite ends of its travel; and a pair of fluidpressure valve-operating means enclosed within the housing, one at each end thereof, for positively moving the gate assembly from a sealed open position to a sealed closed position and vice versa, each of said operating means having operating engagement with each of the gate parts to permit limited relative movement between the gate parts so that when said gate assembly is in sealed open or sealed closed position they said means when energized will engage and positively move only one of the gate parts until both gate parts are in the collapsed position, will then positively move both parts, in unison, until movement of the one part is stopped by an abutment,

and will continue the movement of the other part until the expanded sealed position of the two parts is attained.

8. A valve of the gate type with fluid-pressure means for operating the valve to its open and closed positions, the combination comprising: a housing forming a valve chamber having aligned ports provided with opposed par- .allel valve seats; a ported expansible valve gate assembly mounted for rectilinear movement between said seats to open and close the valve, said assembly comprising a pair of double-tapered mutually wedging elements that are oppositely displaceable in a direction normal to that of their rectilinear movement by relative endwise movement in either direction from a centered position corresponding to the minimum overall lateral dimension of said gate assembly, in order to expand said assembly and effect sealing en- 5 gagement of said elements with said valve seats in both the open and closed positions of the valve;l iixed abutments within said housing to limit the rectilinear movement of one Vof said gate elements at the opposite ends of its travel; fluidpressure responsive means for positively moving the other of said elements in either direction of its travel; and resilient means interposed between said uid-pressure responsive means and said one element, whereby said fluid-pressure responsive means is adapted to move both said elements between limits deiined by said fixed ebutments and to move said other element beyond said limits when said one element is stopped by a xed abutment, in order to positively expand said gate assembly adjacent both ends of its travel and effect sealing engagement of said elements with said valve seats.

9. A valve of the gate type with iiuid-pressure means for operating the valve to its open and closed positions; the combination comprising: a housing forming a valve chamber having aligned ports provided with opposed parallel valve seats; a ported expansible valve gate assembly mounted for rectilinear movement between said seats to open and close the valve, said assembly comprising a pair of double-tapered mutually wedging elements that are oppositely displaceable in a direction normal to that of their rectilinear movement by relative endwise movement in either direction, from a centered position corresponding to the minimum overall lateral dimension of said gate assembly, in order to expand said assembly and effect sealing engagement of said elements with said valve seats in both the open and closed positions of the valve; xed abutments within said housing to limit the rectilinear movement of one of said gate elements at the opposite ends of its travel; and iiuidpressure responsive means for simultaneously moving both said elements in either direction oi their travel within limits defined by said xed abutments, said means having positive engagement with the other of said elements and resilient engagement with said one element, whereby said means is adapted to move said other element beyond said limits when said one element is stopped by a said xed abutment.

10. A valve of the gate type with uid-pressure means for operating the valve to its open and closed positions; the combination comprising: a housing forming a valve chamber having aligned ports provided with opposed parallel valve seats; a ported expansible valve gate assembly mounted for rectilinear movement between said seats to open and close the valve, said assembly comprising a pair of double-tapered mutually wedging elements that are oppositely displaceable in a direction normal to that of their rectilinear movement lby relative endwise movement in either direction from a centered position corresponding to the minimum overall lateral dimension of said gate assembly, in order to expand said assembly and effect sealing engagement of said elements with said valve seats in both the open and closed positions of the valve; fixed abutments within said housing to limit the rectilinear movement of one of said gate elements at the opposite ends of its travel; a pair of opposed fluid-pressure-operated pistons mounted at opposite ends of said gate assembly; rigid means for transmitting the thrust of each of said pistons to a corresponding end of the other of said gate elements; and resilient means for transmitting the thrust of each of said pistons to a corresponding end of said one element,

there being lost motion between said resilient means and a said corresponding end of said one element when said gate assembly is in expanded position at either end of its travel, the extent of said lost motion being substantially equal to the 'amount of relative endwise displacement between said elements, whereby in moving said gate assembly to open and closed positions of the valve a said piston first moves said other element endwise relative to said one element, in to collapse said assembly, and then moves both said elements simultaneously toward the other end of their travel.

11. A valve of the gate type with fluid-pressure means for operating the Valve to its open and closed positions, the combination comprising: a housing forming a valve chamber having aligned ports provided with opposed parallel valve seats; a ported expansible valve gate assembly mounted for rectilinear movement between said seats to open and close the valve, said gate assembly comprising a pair of double-tapered mutually wedging elements that are oppositely displaceable in a direction normal to that ol their rectilinear movement by relative endwise movement in either direction, from a centered position corresponding to the minimum overall lateral dimension of said assembly, in order to expand said gate assembly and effect sealing engagement of said elements with said valve seats in both the open and closed positions of the Valve; fixed abutments within said housing to limit the rectilinear movement of one of said gate elements at the opposite ends of its travel; and fluid-pressure responsive means for moving said gate assembly to its open and order n closed positions, said means being engageable with opposite ends of said assembly and, when said assembly is expanded in either open or closed position, operating in response to fluid-pressure supply to rst engage and move the other of said gate elements relative to said one element to center said elements and thereby relieve the sealing pressure, to then engage and move both said elements until said one element is stopped by Contact with one of said abutments, and to then continue to move said other element to thereby expand said gate assembly and effect sealing engagement of said elements with their valve seats.

FRED MCMANIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Re. 20,101 Laurent Sept. 8, 1936 283,479 Galvin Aug. 21, 1883 430,089 Sewall June 10, 1890 715,745 Biokford Dec. 16, 1902 894,784 Vivian July 28, 1908 1,819,043 Sleeper Aug. 18, 1931 1,986,429 Dunham Jan.'1, 1935 2,166,304 Laurent July 18, 1939 2,337,841 Shaier Dec. 28, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 13,828 Great Britain June 20, 1903 

